Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 

Zhang Shixu’s birthday was approaching. Normally, that meant dinner at the dorm and singing at a KTV afterward—but this year felt a little different. For one, Qi Junhe was now a part of his life.

“Hey, what are you doing for your birthday this time?” Chen Nan pulled his chair over, bumping Zhang Shixu with his knee as he asked.

Zhang Shixu looked up from the PowerPoint he was editing. “Honestly, I haven’t thought about it yet.”

“Well, you stepped down as president, so the student council won’t throw a party for you anymore, right?”

Zhang Shixu nodded. He’d passed the baton after the freshman welcome.

“So it’s just us this time?” Chen Nan prodded.

“Not exactly. I want to introduce someone.”

“Who? Do we know them already?” Chen Nan looked eager. “Wait, is it that little freshman?”

Zhang Yan perked up at the word “introduce” and scrambled over. “Who is it? Are you dating someone?”

“No,” Zhang Shixu said quickly, voice a little defensive. “I’m not dating anyone.”

Because truthfully, he wasn’t sure if that was a lie or not.

Chen Nan kicked Zhang Yan lightly. “What kind of answer is that?” He turned to Zhang Shixu. “Come on, just spill it.”

After a small pause, Zhang Shixu admitted, “It’s a guy. A junior.”

Zhang Yan leaned in, curious. “Male? Alpha? Beta? Omega?”

“Male. Alpha,” Zhang Shixu replied.

The two friends immediately cried out in mock shock.

“Look at you saying you’re not dating,” Zhang Yan teased.

“Hey! Don’t make it weird. It’s not like that. Yet,” Zhang Shixu muttered.

“Ohhh, yet, huh?” Zhang Yan grinned, poking fun.

Zhang Shixu quickly changed the subject. “What about you and Jin Heng lately?” he asked Chen Nan.

Chen Nan froze, visibly uncomfortable. “Nothing new. Same as usual.”

Zhang Shixu looked him dead in the eye. “Are you sure?”

Chen Nan scratched his neck awkwardly, the faint mark from Jin Heng’s affection just starting to fade. “Yeah. Nothing’s going on.”

“Are you guys seeing each other?” Zhang Shixu asked directly.

Chen Nan glanced at Zhang Yan for help, but even he looked skeptical.

“Seriously, no.”

Neither friend called him out on the obvious deflection. They let him keep his secret—for now.

“Can I bring Luo Jia this year?” Zhang Yan asked, referring to his Beta girlfriend.

“Sure,” Zhang Shixu replied casually. “She’s great.”

And with that, they went their separate ways.

…

Later, over lunch, Zhang Shixu mentioned to Qi Junhe that he’d be celebrating with his roommates this year. Qi Junhe agreed to join, though he seemed a little distracted.

Zhang Shixu noticed his odd behavior and asked, “Is the food not good today?”

Qi Junhe shook his head. ‘No. It’s not that.’

“Then what’s wrong? Don’t keep things from me—I don’t like it.”

‘I’m just a little nervous,’ he signed.

Zhang Shixu chuckled, brushing Qi Junhe’s curls fondly. “What for? They’re all really friendly.”

Qi Junhe nodded but still seemed uneasy.

“Don’t worry, you’ve got me. They’re my friends. You’ll be fine,” Zhang Shixu assured him.

…

On the day of his birthday, Zhang Shixu called his mom, Ye Xu, early in the morning. She told him to enjoy dinner with his friends and said she’d already taken care of the restaurant reservation.

Since it was Sunday and everyone had slept in, they decided to meet directly at the restaurant.

Jin Heng was still on a break and hadn’t returned. Zhang Yan had gone ahead to meet Luo Jia. Chen Nan was about to head out too.

Before Chen Nan left, Zhang Shixu stopped him. “Wait—do you know if Troy’s back yet?”

“He said he would be, but I haven’t seen him at the dorm.”

“Think something’s wrong?”

Chen Nan shrugged. “Probably not. You know him—he’s always busy with work stuff.”

After Chen Nan left, Zhang Shixu checked his phone. A message from Qi Junhe popped up:

Qi Junhe: I’m downstairs.

Zhang Shixu: Coming now.

He ran downstairs and spotted Qi Junhe waiting, holding a large gift wrapped neatly in paper. He was dressed differently today—more mature. A white cashmere sweater, a khaki overcoat, fitted trousers. It was a far cry from his usual youthful outfits.

“Been waiting long?”

‘Not at all,’ Qi Junhe replied.

“This for me?” Zhang Shixu gestured to the gift, guessing it was the painting he’d glimpsed before.

Qi Junhe nodded, a little shy. ‘But don’t open it until later.’

“Got it.” Zhang Shixu grinned.

When he suggested getting a taxi, Qi Junhe shook his head. ‘I drove.’

“You what? Where’d you get the car?”

‘I went home last night to get it. Don’t worry—I have my license.’

They walked to the parking lot, where a sleek black Mercedes-Benz E300 awaited. Qi Junhe opened the passenger door for him and placed the gift in the back.

Zhang Shixu tried not to be nervous, but this was a first.

“You sure you’ve got this?”

‘I practiced all night with Uncle He. He said I’m good.’

As they drove, Zhang Shixu gradually relaxed. Qi Junhe drove smoothly, and Zhang Shixu kept him company by explaining who his friends were and what they were like.

When they entered the private dining room, everyone was already there—even Jin Heng.

“Isn’t this the same junior who danced with Zhang Shixu at the welcome party?” Chen Nan asked with a grin.

Zhang Shixu was surprised. “How’d you know?”

“Please. You two were everywhere on the campus forum back then.”

Everyone laughed.

Zhang Shixu introduced Qi Junhe to each person. Qi Junhe, flushed from the attention, greeted them with a simple, ‘Hello.’

Zhang Shixu added quickly, “Junhe can’t speak, so I’ll translate when needed.”

Luo Jia smiled first. “Nice to meet you! Let’s all sit down.”

Dinner went smoothly. Junhe stayed quiet, but no one treated him differently. Zhang Shixu kept an eye on him, making sure he had enough to eat and wasn’t left out.

“Everything okay at home now?” Zhang Shixu asked Jin Heng casually.

“Yeah, I’ll be back on campus tonight.”

Jin Heng briefly made eye contact with Qi Junhe. A polite nod was exchanged before he turned to chat with Chen Nan.

As dinner wrapped up, Chen Nan suggested they move on to KTV. Everyone agreed.

…

Zhang Shixu had a decent singing voice. Ye Xu had even tried teaching him guitar once, though he gave it up, claiming he lacked the talent.

One by one, everyone took turns at the mic. When it came time for the finale, all eyes were on Zhang Shixu.

“You better sing well—we’re not covering your bill otherwise,” Chen Nan teased.

Zhang Shixu shot him a look. “You’re not paying for it anyway!”

He sang “What If” beautifully, his voice soft and sincere. When he finished, everyone clapped—Luo Jia especially.

“That was lovely!” she beamed.

“I’m broke now,” Zhang Yan joked, pretending her praise meant he owed her money.

Zhang Shixu returned to his seat, a little flushed. Qi Junhe looked at him with open admiration, eyes full of warmth in the dim lighting.

Qi Junhe reached out and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Was it good?” Zhang Shixu asked, eyes bright.

‘It was beautiful,’ Qi Junhe replied.

Soon after, they brought out the birthday cake and candles. Everyone cheered, and Zhang Shixu made a quiet wish before blowing them out.

He thanked them all, and they shared the cake. Gifts were handed over before everyone parted ways.

Qi Junhe drove him back.

…

In the car, Qi Junhe turned and signed, ‘Your friends are great—just like you. But you’re still the best.’

Zhang Shixu smiled proudly. “Of course.”

They hit traffic and it took a while, but finally arrived. After getting the gift from the backseat, Zhang Shixu suggested a walk.

They ended up near Swan Lake, where they’d gone months ago.

“Can I open this now?” Zhang Shixu asked.

Qi Junhe nodded, cheeks red from the wind. He tried to shield him from the cold.

As Zhang Shixu peeled away the wrapping, the painting from the studio came into view—now complete, vivid, stunning. If it weren’t for the little mole under the eye, he might not have even recognized himself.

His breath caught. At the bottom corner, Qi Junhe had scribbled a crooked “Happy Birthday.” And beside the eyes, in a trembling but unmistakable hand: “I like you.”

Zhang Shixu’s fingers hovered over the letters, heart racing.

Qi Junhe suddenly grabbed his hand and placed it on his chest. Then, with his other hand, he traced on the back of Zhang Shixu’s palm, one stroke at a time: me.

The emotion in the air was sharp and silent. Zhang Shixu gently pressed a finger to Qi Junhe’s lips.

He leaned his cheek against Qi Junhe’s hand. “I like you too,” he said softly. “Want to be with me?”

Tears welled in Qi Junhe’s eyes. He nodded, overwhelmed. The spot on his chest where Zhang Shixu had touched felt like it was on fire.

“Don’t cry,” Zhang Shixu whispered, wiping his tears. “Just say yes, okay?”

‘Yes.’

Qi Junhe pulled him into a tight embrace—and this time, Zhang Shixu held on just as tightly.

And in that cold winter night, beneath the dim lights and fading noise of celebration, something warm and eternal bloomed quietly between them.